Hydrochemical Indicators Analysis of Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Karstic Aquifers on the Example of the Bokanjac-Poličnik Catchment Area in Zadar, Croatia

Abstract

Monitoring and detection of seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers in Croatia are one of the water management measures that attempt to notice an increase in salinity in time. Bokanjac-Poličnik is the coastal aquifer in Croatia that is at the risk of seawater intrusion. In that area, analysis of hydro-chemical indicators will be conducted due to the occasional seawater intrusion that occurs on wells that are included in the water supply system for the City of Zadar and surrounding villages. Due to the increased exploitation during the tourism season in summer and climate changes, salinization process is more intense. The presented results indicate that two of four wells on the case study area are under the influence of salt marine water.

Keywords

• salinization
• karst aquifers
• hydrochemical indicators
• water supply systems